More to come as Leicester Tigers full-back Mathew Tait is still to hit top gear

Mathew Tait's rehabilitation in terms of regaining full fitness has been completed by his return to first-team action recently.

That was underlined by his performance in Leicester Tigers' victory against Bath last weekend, where he featured prominently at full-back.

But although he is satisfied with the progress he has made, Tait and Tigers' supporters know that he has yet to fully engage top gear. They also recognise that it will come in time – and sooner rather than later.

"There is still quite a bit to come," said the 26-year-old as Tigers build towards the weekend's Heineken Cup encounter with Treviso.

"Things went reasonably well against Bath last week, although I still feel I made a few daft errors which need ironing out.

"Whether that is rustiness or learning to trust your instincts again, it is all about building back into the game because I was out for such a long time.

"But those things come with game-time and back-to-back matches."

Tait added: "I'm as happy as I could be at the moment, but I still feel that there is a lot more to come."

Tait made his Tigers debut in September last year but injuries have limited him to just eight appearances to date, and he has yet to take his place in a European match.

"I'm enjoying being back involved again," he said. "That is what you miss.

"That is why you train, do pre-season and work hard, because you want to be involved in these games.

"It is a very important competition for us and, on Sunday, we need to make sure that we are creating a lot.

"Last Saturday (against Bath), we weren't particularly clinical with the final pass or in the final phases of play, and we need to change that."

Whatever side Tigers put out against Treviso, Tait, who has 38 England caps to his name, knows that they will have to work hard to get the upper-hand, even though Leicester will go into the game as strong favourites.

"Treviso are physical, as Italian sides are, with a big pack and some big units in the backs" he said.

"It is a case of making sure that we secure phase-ball and play in the appropriate places.

"They are always very difficult sides to play against, but it is vital for our chances of progressing in the Heineken Cup."